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Nearing completion
Asymptote Architecture
The Yas Hotel
Abu Dhabi, UAE
“A perfect union and harmonious interplay between elegance and spectacle. The search here was inspired by what one could call the 'art' and poetics of motor racing, specifically Formula 1, coupled with the making of a place that celebrates Abu Dhabi as a cultural and technological tour de force.”
Hani Rashid
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
The Yas Hotel is one of the main architectural features of the ambitious Yas Marina development and accompanying Formula 1 raceway circuit, also near completion.
Asymptote envisioned an architectural landmark embodying various key influences and inspirations ranging from the aesthetics and forms associated with speed, movement and spectacle, to the artistry and geometries forming the basis of ancient Islamic art and craft traditions.
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Of architectural and engineering significance is the main feature of the project's design, a 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear forms constructed of steel and 5,800 pivoting diamond-shaped glass panels. This Grid-Shell component affords the building an architecture comprised of an atmospheric-like veil that contains two hotel towers and a link bridge constructed as a monocoque sculpted steel object passing above the Formula 1 track that makes its way through the building complex.
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
The Grid-Shell visually connects and fuses the entire complex together while producing optical effects and spectral reflections that play against the surrounding sky, sea and desert landscape.
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
The architecture as a whole “performs” as both an environmentally responsive solution and as an architecture of spectacle and event. The entire jewel-like composition of the project responds visually and tectonically to its environment to create a distinct and powerful sense of place as well as a breathtaking backdrop to the Formula 1 and other events that the building will celebrate.
Image courtesy The Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi/Asymptote
Total area: 85,000 square meters
The opening date is targeted for October 30, 2009 to coincide with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Architects: Asymptote Architecture:
Principals: Hani Rashid + Lise Anne Couture
Local Architects:
Dewan Architects & Engineers, Abu Dhabi
Tilke & Partners W.L.L., Dubai
Structural Engineers:
Dewan Architects & Engineers, Abu Dhabi
ARUP, New York
Grid-Shell Engineers:
Schlaich Bergermann und Partner (SBP), Stuttgart
Waagner-Biro, Vienna
MEP Engineer:
Red Engineering Middle East, Dubai
Facade Consultants:
Front Inc., New York
TAW & Partner, Hamburg
Interior Architecture:
Jestico + Whiles, London
Richardson Sadeki, New York
De8 Architetti, Bergamo, Italy
Lighting Consultants:
LAPD Lighting Design, Hertfordshire, UK
Bartenbach LichtLabor GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
Red Engineering Middle East, Dubai
ARUP Lighting, New York
Grid-Shell Lighting Consultant:
ARUP Lighting, New York
Link Bridge Engineers:
ARUP Bridge, New York
Centraal Staal, Groningen, The Netherlands
Landscape Design:
Cracknell Landscape Architects, Abu Dhabi
Grid-Shell Building Information Modeling (BIM) Consultant:
Gehry Technologies, Los Angeles & New York
Asymptote arcspace features
May 25, 2009